Prof. Francesca Gino’s Contract and Discrimination Claims Against Harvard Business School Dismissed

A federal judge dismissed former Harvard Business School professor Francesca Gino’s claims that Harvard breached its policies and discriminated against her when it investigated research misconduct allegations, revoked her tenure and fired her. The ruling matters because it affirms that university policies can create enforceable contractual limits while recognising that courts generally defer to universities’ reasoned academic judgments.

The allegations were brought in 2021 by three professors who publish as Data Colada, prompting an investigation that lasted about 18 months. In March 2023, a committee found by a preponderance of the evidence that Gino had intentionally, knowingly or recklessly committed research misconduct in all five allegations; Harvard revoked her tenure and ended her appointment in May 2025. The judge said the court could review whether Harvard acted honestly, reasonably and followed its enforceable procedures, but would not have a jury reweigh the scientific evidence.